Shaka Zulu (TV series)

Shaka Zulu is a 1986 South African television series directed by William C. Faure and written by Joshua Sinclair for the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), based on his 1985 novel of the same name.

Shaka Zulu
Title sequence
Genre	Historical Novel
Created by	Ed Harper
Based on	Shaka Zulu by Joshua Sinclair
Written by	William C. Faure Joshua Sinclair
Directed by	William C. Faure
Starring	Henry Cele Edward Fox Robert Powell Trevor Howard Fiona Fullerton Christopher Lee Dudu Mkhize Roy Dotrice Gordon Jackson Kenneth Griffith Conrad Magwaza Patrick Ndlovu Roland Mqwebu Gugu Nxumalo Tu Nokwe Daphney Hlomuka
Opening theme	"We Are Growing", performed by Margaret Singana
Composer	Dave Pollecutt
Country of origin	South Africa
Original languages	English Zulu
No. of series	1
No. of episodes	10
Production
Executive producer	Leon Rautenbach
Production locations	Natal, South Africa
Cinematography	Alec Mills
Editors	Bill Lenny A.C.E Ettie Feldman
Running time	54–55 minutes
Production company	South African Broadcasting Corporation
Original release
Network	SABC TV2/TV3
Release	24 October (1986-10-24) – 19 December 1986 (1986-12-19)

It focuses on the rise of the Zulu, and their leader, Shaka, his wars, and the British administration. The series consists of 10 episodes of approximately 55 minutes each. It was aired in South Africa from October, and in the United States in syndication from November.

Plot

The series is based on the story of the king of the Zulu, Shaka (reigned 1816 to 1828), and the writings of the British traders with whom he interacted. It also covers the broader Mfecane period alongside the rapid expansion of the Zulu state. The story is described primarily via flashbacks by Dr Henry Fynn, an Irish doctor.

Production

The series was written for the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) by Joshua Sinclair, based on his 1985 novel of the same name. Harmony Gold USA partly funded and distributed Shaka Zulu in spite of the economic sanctions at the time. It was directed by William C Faure. The executive producer was Leon Rautenbach, and the composer was Dave Pollecutt.

Lead actor Henry Cele was an international star, performing in his native South Africa and in the United States as well. He was selected for the role after performing the same role in a South African stage production of the same name.

Cele appeared again in 2001 as Shaka in the 3-hour 2-part miniseries, also written and directed by Sinclair, called Shaka Zulu: The Citadel. Set in winter 1827, Fox also reprised his role as Farewell, and also starred David Hasselhoff and Karen Allen. It was also released in a 2-hour telemovie version called Shaka Zulu: The Last Great Warrior.

Simon Sabela also organised the dance routines in the original 1964 Zulu film, and played Cetshwayo in Zulu Dawn in 1979.

Cast

• Henry Cele – Shaka
• Edward Fox – Lieutenant Francis Farewell
• Robert Powell – Dr. Henry Fynn/Narrator
• Trevor Howard – Lord Charles Henry Somerset
• Sokesimbone Kubheka – King Cetshwayo
• Fiona Fullerton – Elizabeth Farewell
• Christopher Lee – Lord Bathurst
• Dudu Mkhize – Nandi
• Roy Dotrice – King George IV
• Gordon Jackson – Professor Bramston
• Kenneth Griffith – Zacharias Abrahams
• Conrad Magwaza – Senzangakhona
• Patrick Ndlovu – Mudli
• Roland Mqwebu – Ngomane
• Gugu Nxumalo – Mkabayi
• Tu Nokwe – Pampata
• Washington Sixolo – Bhebhe
• Daphney Hlomuka – Queen Ntombazi
• Simon Sabela – Dingiswayo.
• Nomsa Xaba – Sitayi the isangoma
• Khumbulani Cele (Henry's real-life son) as Young Shaka

Episodes

No.	Directed by	Written by	Runtime	Original air date	US air date
1	William C. Faure	William C. Faure Joshua Sinclair	55 minutes	24 October 1986 (1986-10-24)	24 November 1986
Commencing in 1823, it introduces the main characters, including Shaka, Lieutenant Francis Farewell and Dr. Henry Fynn, against a background of increasing fear of a Zulu attack on the Cape Colony.
2	William C. Faure	William C. Faure Joshua Sinclair	55 minutes	31 October 1986 (1986-10-31)	1 December 1986
After Farewell's expedition is shipwrecked, they are taken to Shaka's capital, Kwa Bulawayo. Here, cultures clash as Shaka seeks to master their technology.
3	William C. Faure	William C. Faure Joshua Sinclair	55 minutes	7 November 1986 (1986-11-07)	8 December 1986
Fynn narrates the backstory of Shaka's illegitimate birth in 1787, to Senzangakona, a prince of the Zulu, and Nandi, a woman of the Elangeni.
4	William C. Faure	William C. Faure Joshua Sinclair	55 minutes	14 November 1986 (1986-11-14)	15 December 1986
Nandi's tribe compels Senzangakona to accept her as a second wife. However, after nine further marriages in as many years, she is often humiliated by Senzangakhona and goes back to the Elangeni kingdom where she and Shaka are constantly humiliated and flees into exile with her children and her mother who dies of starvation. Nandi and her children take refuge among the Qwabe people.
5	William C. Faure	William C. Faure Joshua Sinclair	55 minutes	21 November 1986 (1986-11-21)	22 December 1986
As Shaka grows up, he is forced to flee his home among the Qwabe when his father, Senzangakhona and his people are looking for him. In 1815, he is helped by Dingiswayo of the Mtetwa, where he begins formulating his new military disciplines.
6	William C. Faure	William C. Faure Joshua Sinclair	55 minutes	28 November 1986 (1986-11-28)	29 December 1986
Shaka trains his new military unit into an elite fighting force. After his father dies, in 1817, his half-brother becomes king but Shaka assassinates him at his initiation and assumes total control.
7	William C. Faure	William C. Faure Joshua Sinclair	55 minutes	5 December 1986 (1986-12-05)	5 January 1987
The story moves ahead to 1824 when an attempt is made on Shaka's life by his half-brother. Surviving with the help of Fynn, Shaka grants Farewell lands and trading rights in perpetuity.
8	William C. Faure	William C. Faure Joshua Sinclair	54 minutes	12 December 1986 (1986-12-12)	12 January 1987
Realising the legacy power of the written word, Shaka begins narrating stories of his rise, including surreal and occult aspects, to Fynn. It also covers the beheading of Dingiswayo during the conflict with Zwide.
9	William C. Faure	William C. Faure Joshua Sinclair	54 minutes	19 December 1986 (1986-12-19)	19 January 1987
In 1827, the sailors at Port Natal build a boat, with Zulu assistance, and sail envoys to Cape Town where they are poorly received. Meanwhile, Shaka has his illegitimate son killed and his mother becomes ill.
10	William C. Faure	William C. Faure Joshua Sinclair	54 minutes	19 December 1986 (1986-12-19)	26 January 1987
Nandi dies, sending Shaka into a dangerous mindset where the Zulu nation should suffer too. Farewell's party returns in 1828 to find widespread chaos and devastation, culminating in Shaka's assassination.

Reception

Although popular, the series was criticised by The Los Angeles Times for its character portrayals and focus on violence. The New York Times reviewed it positively, describing the series as an "enthralling television exercise" but noted public suspicion of it at the time due to the financial support the series received from then apartheid government of South Africa.

Donald Morris wrote that it was one of the most repeatedly viewed miniseries in North American television at the time having been watched by over 350 million viewers.

When Shaka Zulu was broadcast in Singapore on SBC 12 in 1986, it was praised by arts enthusiasts as an example of "quality production" after the local authorities banned a performance by topless African dancers at that year's Singapore Arts Festival, which has since revoked.

In 2021, NewRetroWave gave it a positive review for its cinematography and strong acting performances.

Soundtrack

The theme song of the series, "We Are Growing", was sung by Margaret Singana.

Charts

Chart (1987)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)	62

External links

• Shaka Zulu at IMDb
• Shaka Zulu at SideReel
• Shaka Zulu at TVSA